Captains' Nellie Rodriguez determined to get to big leagues to honor father (with video)

Every day, Captains first baseman Nellie Rodriguez finds his thoughts turning to the memory of his late father, Nelson.

Nelson Rodriguez was a native of the Dominican Republic who moved to New York City to chase his American dream of being a big-league player.

A powerful hitter and proficient third baseman, the elder Rodriguez was signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates and made it to Double-A before an injury derailed his career.

"When I was a baby, my dad gave me a glove and a bat," Rodriguez said. "As I got older, we'd go to the park and he'd help me practice."

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Nellie Rodriguez was 10 when his father died from Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, better known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.

"I'm determined to be the great player he once was and make it to the big leagues," Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez grew into his baseball talents at George Washington High School in New York City.

It is the same school that produced Manny Ramirez, the Indians' first-round selection in the June 1991 draft.

Ramirez smashed 236 home runs and drove in 804 runs for the Indians over eight years before leaving after the 2000 season to sign a huge free-agent deal with the Boston Red Sox.

Rodriguez, who will turn 19 in June, was selected by the Indians in the 15th round of the June 2012 draft.

The Captains open the 2013 season Thursday at home against the Lansing (Mich.) Lugnuts. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Rodriguez will get the start at first base and bat either fourth or fifth.

"From the time I finished eighth grade and knew I was going to George Washington, I had the dream to follow in Manny's footsteps and make it to the big leagues," Rodriguez said Tuesday before the Captains took the field for a workout at Classic Park.

At 6-foot-2 and 250 pounds, Rodriguez looks the part of a man who can launch baseballs deep into the night.

"I was 13 when I hit a ball over a fence for the first time. Since then, the home runs have come easy," Rodriguez said, smiling.

Rodriguez made his professional debut last season in Arizona for the rookie-league AZL Indians. He batted .229 with four home runs and 17 RBI in 32 games.

"My goal was to work really hard in the offseason and give myself a chance to get here (Lake County)," Rodriguez said.

A catcher in high school, Rodriguez was shifted to first base after signing with the Indians.

"More than anything, I made big jumps in my defense," Rodriguez said.

The Indians' player-development staff thought enough of the progress made by Rodriguez at the plate and in the field to vault him past the short-season Class A Mahoning Valley Scrappers to the Captains.

"He does a fine job at first base already, but the more he plays there, the more he'll improve," said first-year Captains manager Scooter Tucker.

"Offensively, we know he's got gap-to-gap power," Tucker added. "What I've been most impressed with is for a guy that young and strong, he's showing great plate discipline."

Rodriguez stays in close contact with his mother, Petroina Mendez, and his stepbrothers and stepsisters living in New York.

"I grew up a Yankees fan, so I guess I was a little disappointed when they didn't draft me," Rodriguez said. "But I love Cleveland now because they drafted me and because it was the same team that drafted Manny."

At some point in the near future, Rodriguez plans on making his own name in a Cleveland uniform.